Ruth
4:4-8
"So I thought to inform you,
saying, 'Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my
people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know;
for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.'" And he
said, "I will redeem it." Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy
the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the
widow of the deceased, in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his
inheritance." The closest relative said, "I cannot redeem it for
myself, because I would jeopardize my own inheritance. Redeem it for yourself;
you may have my right of redemption, for I cannot redeem it." Now this was
the custom in former times in Israel concerning the redemption and the exchange
of land to confirm any matter: a man removed his sandal and gave it to another;
and this was the manner of attestation in Israel. So the closest relative said
to Boaz, "Buy it for yourself." And he removed his sandal.
Smelly feet, smelly feet. Have you ever removed your
sandals on a hot day when you’ve been out walking along a dusty pathway? The
dirt and sweat can make an odor that takes your breath away—for just a second.
So here’s an old Hebrew custom to savor—let me hand you my dusty smelly sandal.
Rachel is not redeemed by her husband’s closest relative. He would like to have
had the land—but not the responsibility of raising a child for his deceased
relative, Mahlon, and of providing the inheritance for that child. So he gave
the right of redemption of Naomi’s land to Boaz as he handed over his smelly
sandal to Boaz.
Legalities of the Hebrew law in that day provided
that the kinsman redeemer must provide an inheritance for the child being
raised as the deceased’s offspring—his heir. Boaz was not previously married so
he had no children that would have to share of the inheritance of Naomi’s land.
It was a perfect arrangement for Ruth…and for Naomi.
Spiritually we are adopted by God. Romans 5:15-17
says, For you have not received a spirit
of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as
sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself
testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs
also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him
so that we may also be glorified with Him. As heirs of God we will receive our “inheritance”
from our adopted Heavenly Father. That thought is a spiritual meal in itself!
So much food for thought. What will our inheritance be? Are you among God’s
adopted children? Do you realize that to be His adopted child is just as easy
as confessing your sin, agreeing with God that you are a sinner—we all are!
Then merely asking for His forgiveness, and accepting that forgiveness. It
really is as easy as it sounds, but it takes a decision. What is your
“decision”? What will be your inheritance?
Lord God, Abba
Father. I confess to you that I am a sinner, and I accept your forgiveness.
Thank you for adopting me into Your family.
© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
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